Project THRIVE (Trafficking Healthcare Resources and Interdisciplinary Victim Services and Education)

The goal of the FY 2019 Direct Services to Support Victims of Human Trafficking Program is to enhance the quality and quantity of services available to victims of human trafficking, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as amended. Funding through this program supports specialized services to victims of sex and labor trafficking, as well as for efforts to increase the capacity of communities to respond to human trafficking through the development of interagency partnerships, professional training, and public awareness activities over a three-year project period. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM) in Miami, Florida, will expand medical and mental health services for victims of human trafficking under Project THRIVE, a dedicated health care clinic for survivors of human trafficking, which is located at Jackson Memorial Hospital (JMH). UMMSM and JMH—a public hospital, tertiary care center, and teaching hospital for the UMMSM—partner to provide victim-centered, trauma-informed health care that includes primary and gynecologic care, mental health services, and a full range of specialty services in a discreet setting. Services are coordinated with other agencies (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the State Attorney's Office, homeless shelters, substance abuse treatment centers, and others). THRIVE's healthcare team, with the input of a survivor advocate, also provide training on human trafficking and trauma-informed care to health care professionals. To expand the network of qualified providers, Project THRIVE will establish a formal psychiatric residency rotation to train medical residents and fellows. An attending psychiatrist will be embedded in the clinic to see patients and to provide oversight to residents and fellows who assist in clinic. Project THRIVE also will develop an innovative, survivor-led peer mentoring program. Survivors identified through local human trafficking task forces will receive training to accompany survivors to appointments, provide support, advocacy, referrals, navigation, and work across multiple systems (medical, mental health, social, legal and housing). CA/NCF